i have 2 compaq servers (ml570 and 8500r) both same spec dos 6.22 3gb ram. Using bootdisk ml570 boots ok but the 8500r hangs at himem.sys. I use a boot memu and select dos prompt, this is when it hangs. I insert testmem:off to get by this but then get error there is insufficient xms memory to load smartdrive. Checking mem on both sytems ml570 has 64mb xms memory available 8500r has 0. Any ideas appreciated.

I would suspect that you have some bad memory in your first bank of RAM. I would try downloading a memory tester from somewhere and checking it to be sure. HTH, Michael

I'm having the same problem. Dos, 98, and Me support a max of 1gb ram anything over that and it will hang (official MS specs). Only 1% of anything above 512mb is used. I suspect that himem is the offender and I'm looking for a replacement or workaround. I imagine in 6 months or a year the bios mfgs will clue in and add an option to make it appear like only 512mb is visible for those occasions when you want to do something in an older OS. Email me in a few weeks for an update, or if you find a workaround.

Himem.sys provided by microsoft hangs on a Compaq Proliant 8500 server. The solution is to use the himem.exe provided by Compaq. Then smartdrive will load without any problems. I use the version of himem.exe (not himem.sys) from the Compaq SmartStart 5.1 CD.